RokaDura Hostel

We were unsure about staying here because of the very bad Google reviews, but after arriving I couldn't understand them. We had a really nice week at Rokadura hostal and would stay again. It's a good choice for a relaxed, local experience, though it's away from the tourist area and beach. There's a nearby mall, a few supermarkets, and small local food restaurants. The hostel has several common areas, a big comfy kitchen, a terrace, a pool, board games, and a bookshelf. The staff were beyond nice. Mrs. Rocio was very kind, and Imer was always around to answer questions and help with whatever we needed. They cleaned our room, changed the sheets and towels, and gave us extra toilet paper at no added cost. We asked for an extra fan where we were working, and they had no problem providing one. There were two minor inconveniences. The room door wasn't working properly when we arrived, but they fixed it right away and offered to move us if we weren't comfortable. The next morning, the area's power went out for a few hours, which wasn't the hostel's fault. We had work and meetings, and they immediately offered to share Wi-Fi from their phones until power came back. We ended up going to the nearby mall because our laptops were running low on battery. They also played loud music on Friday afternoon and during the weekend. If you can afford a room with air conditioning, I'd go for it. Santa Marta is very warm and humid, and sometimes a fan isn't enough. This isn't advertised as a coworking hostel, so they don't really have a dedicated workspace for a 9-to-5 job, though we managed to make it work. The internet can also slow down with heavy files.

That tree in the room was a nice touch, I'd never seen one before. The staff could use more information about tourist requests, like buses to Minca and Taganga.

This is a perfect place for backpackers. The reception team made it feel warm and welcoming, and they were incredibly kind and friendly. They were willing to help with any questions. Highly recommend.

I honestly can't imagine staying anywhere else on the coast. I've felt at home here for the last 2 months, and it's a great base for day trips or overnight trips. Jonathan offers lots of information and recommendations about places to visit while you're here. Jonathan, the owner, is a really chill guy from Canada who fell in love with the country and a beautiful woman, then decided to stick around and make a relaxing place for travelers to gather. There's a beautifully clear pool in the middle of the common area, with comfy hammocks around it. Whatever you need, Jonathan is happy to help. The beds are comfortable, and Pancho the cat is a sweetheart. There's a beer fridge stocked with cervezas, agua, and soda, plus a big kitchen for keeping your food. Laundry service and free luggage storage are available too. On a main street just outside the busy center, it's a safe area to walk around. Buses go right by the place and reach downtown in ten minutes. Jumbo grocery store and Ocean Mall are a 5-minute walk away, and there's a local fruit mercado a few blocks the other way, along with a few local restaurants just minutes on foot.